THRISSUR: Tribal dance forms were included as a special part of the Kerala School Kalolsavam competitions in 2025 and they have since become one of the most popular events of the festival. This year too the tribal dance performances happening at Venue 3 — ‘Neelakurinji’, at the Thekkinkadu Maidan — are drawing huge crowds, with competition hotting up on-stage.
‘Mangalam Kali’, based on the traditional wedding dance form of the ‘Malavettuva’ and ‘Mavila’ communities in the hilly regions of Kasaragod and Kannur districts, had 18 teams in the fray. And among them, the showstoppers were an all-boys group from the Government Model Residential School, Vellachal, Kasaragod, a school dedicated to students from the tribal community.
All 12 boys, who grew up watching and performing the dance form, were confidence personified as they were already familiar with its rhythm and movement.
“We perform this at home and have also seen our parents doing this regularly during wedding ceremonies in our village,” a team member said.
The team, trained by Satheesh, consisted of students from Classes 9 and 10.
“Since the children knew the steps, all they wanted was financial help to arrange for competition-specific training. And that was fulfilled with government support,” said Teena K, a teacher accompanying the team.
‘Mangalam Kali’ is performed wearing traditional attire comprising knee-length dhothi, cotton scarf, areca leaf hat and and a basket made of palm leaves.
The 12 performers move in circles to the rhythm of ‘Panithudi’ and ‘Perumthudi’, with two of them singing in Thulu-mixed Malayalam. The dance form is traditionally performed in mixed groups of men and women.
Children from the tribal community were also present in the team representing the Government Model Residential School, Pattuvam, Kannur, trained by Manu Thayannoor of Kanhangad.
The state school arts festival has opened the doors to bigger opportunities for youngsters, like Manu, from tribal communities, who would otherwise rely on daily-wage labour for livelihood.
At the same time, a familiar issue has raised its head again — allegations of a lack of awareness among the judges on the nuances of tribal arts forms.